Search found 44 matches

by Shutoku
Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:21 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Real Vs. Unreal
Replies: 10
Views: 3873

Re: Real Vs. Unreal

His Pureland Sukhavati is also real and is located in the western direction from our Earth, How exactly does one find the "western direction from our Earth"? If you are looking from space, looking at North America, west would be one way. Looking at The middle east west would be the opposi...
by Shutoku
Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:00 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

Really? "crap"? So much for the idea of 10,000 dharma doors. We know that the origins of the sutras are uncertain, and indeed some versions of the Larger sutra have variations including the number and content of some vows. In fact there is a pretty widely held belief that the Buddha never ...
by Shutoku
Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:30 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

I have heard that, knowing nothing of the scriptures or of the true foundation of the Pure Land teaching, you are telling people who are appallingly self-indulgent and lacking in shame that a person should do evil just as he or she desires. This is absolutely wrong. Were you not aware that I finally...
by Shutoku
Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:07 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

I guess the one thing that doesn't sit well with me as that in the information I have read; there is no encouragement to try and better ourselves and maintain some sense of ethics. Maybe I am wrong of which I hope I am, but I find it hard to swallow that all I have to do is have faith and I can sti...
by Shutoku
Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:02 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

I have been practicing Shin for nearly 20 years myself. Initially my interest was in Zen, and the superficial similarities between Christianity and Shin was a pretty big turn off for me. However the only Temple in my town was Shin so I decided to check it out. I was given a nice translation of Tanni...
by Shutoku
Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:12 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pureland Westerners?
Replies: 33
Views: 9997

Re: Pureland Westerners?

Pure Land temples have always puzzled us. Why have them at all? In Jodo Shinshu we do still have Sensei's who have an extensive knowledge not just of PL Buddhism, but general Buddhism as well. They still do Dharma talks that help to encourage one in their practice and in life, and for sure I think ...
by Shutoku
Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:10 am
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: What does "Gassho" mean?
Replies: 6
Views: 4136

Re: What does "Gassho" mean?

Gassho is simply putting your hands together, in some cases with a mala (beads) involved. In Jodo Shinshu the mala or Onenju rests between the thumbs and fore fingers, encircling the fingers on both hands for example. I'm not too familiar with Nichiren-shu, but in Shinshu we gassho when listening to...
by Shutoku
Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:51 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: why i say the nembutsu...
Replies: 14
Views: 4035

Re: why i say the nembutsu...

Your post prompts uttering the nembutsu for me!
by Shutoku
Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:26 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Belief in god increases with age.
Replies: 10
Views: 2431

Re: Belief in god increases with age.

While I'm certain fear of death is a factor for some, it is far less a factor for most than young people think. There is no question that as we age there are shifts in our perceptions, our priorities, and we have the benefit of more life experience. It is easy to dismiss it as fear of mortality, but...
by Shutoku
Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:56 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Thich Nhat Hanh, Pure Land, & Zen practice
Replies: 55
Views: 15564

Re: Thich Nhat Hanh, Pure Land, & Zen practice

Regarding meditation in North American Shin Temples, honestly I see it as a sort of marketing strategy, because many people who come to a buddhist Temple, come expecting bald meditating monks, and in the case of Shinshu instead they are greeted mostly by nice elderly folks of Japanese descent, weari...
by Shutoku
Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:36 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Jodo Shinshu vs. Theravada
Replies: 62
Views: 19909

Re: Jodo Shinshu vs. Theravada

I will probably regret this, but if nothing but a point of interest to consider (and disagree with if you so choose): If we interpret the Pure Land Sutras in a purely literal way, it may be difficult to reconcile them with Theravada teachings. If however we take the literal names in the Pure Land su...
by Shutoku
Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:58 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pureland Westerners?
Replies: 33
Views: 9997

Re: Pureland Westerners?

Try finding a Jodo Shinshu temple. You might have some luck there. Yes, I've thought of that, but from what I've read of their teachings their thoughts on Amitabha being a myth do not really correspond to what I have studied. I am caucasian and attend a Jodo Shinshu Temple, and have for over 15 yea...
by Shutoku
Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:20 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts
Replies: 39
Views: 10685

Re: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts

I don't think he was "scared off" I think he made it pretty clear he was not interested in rehashing the same debates over and over. I think that is probably a very productive choice.
by Shutoku
Wed Mar 21, 2012 8:39 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts
Replies: 39
Views: 10685

Re: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts

You know what I find interesting? In 15-20 years of practicing Jodo Shinshu, all Shinshu followers and Sensei's and teachers I have met in person are humble, kind, open minded people, who don't worry if one person thinks the Sutras are literally true, and another thinks they are a metaphoric descrip...
by Shutoku
Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:20 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: your daily routine
Replies: 6
Views: 2376

Re: your daily routine

My practice is each morning to sit before the shrine and chant any of Shoshinge, Juseige, or Amida Kyo, Often in English, but probably mostly in Japanese. Then recite Nembutsu, sometimes going around a 27 bead Nenju 4 times. Of course the number of times doesn't matter but the Nenju serves as a kind...
by Shutoku
Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:56 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: zen and pureland views
Replies: 23
Views: 5864

Re: zen and pureland views

That was a fantastic post!!! Thank you so much dumbbombu!!!
by Shutoku
Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:31 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: zen and pureland views
Replies: 23
Views: 5864

Re: zen and pureland views

In the contemplation Sutra Shakyamuni says that the Pure land is not far from here. So there seems a contradiction from the Amida Sutra. A guest minister (I do not remember who :oops: ) at my local Jodo Shinshu Temple once explained it this way. "From the perspective of foolish beings, the Pur...
by Shutoku
Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:11 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: zen and pureland views
Replies: 23
Views: 5864

Re: zen and pureland views

In the contemplation Sutra Shakyamuni says that the Pure land is not far from here. So there seems a contradiction from the Amida Sutra. A guest minister (I do not remember who :oops: ) at my local Jodo Shinshu Temple once explained it this way. "From the perspective of foolish beings, the Pure...
by Shutoku
Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:45 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Finding a teacher when you dislike interaction
Replies: 97
Views: 20814

Re: Finding a teacher when you dislike interaction

If you are interested in Zen, you could look into http://www.treeleaf.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is an online Soto sangha. They have a discussion board, and meditation sessions via webcam, and one on one's with the Roshi, a fellow called "Jundo". This ...
by Shutoku
Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:17 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Finding a teacher when you dislike interaction
Replies: 97
Views: 20814

Re: Finding a teacher when you dislike interaction

If you are interested in Zen, you could look into http://www.treeleaf.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is an online Soto sangha. They have a discussion board, and meditation sessions via webcam, and one on one's with the Roshi, a fellow called "Jundo". They h...

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